Tottenham Hotspur vs Brighton: Capital One Cup match preview

A look ahead to this week's Capital One Cup fixture at White Hart Lane

Alan Pardew and John Carver celebrate a Newcastle goal as Mauricio Pochettino looks on in despair (Getty Images)

Tottenham’s fourth round clash with Brighton brings together two teams in dire need of a return to form.

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The 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday was Tottenham’s fourth in seven Premier League games, while Sami Hyypia’s Brighton occupy 21st position in the Championship and haven’t won a game since last month’s victory over Burton Albion in the third round of this competition.

Yet Spurs have garnered joy in the Europa League, where they top their group after last Thursday’s demolishing of Asteras Tripolos. But for Brighton, their Capital One Cup run to the fourth round presents a silver lining in an otherwise despondent season.

The Seagulls beat Cheltenham, Swindon and Burton to set up a meeting with Spurs, who defeated Nottingham Forest in the last round.

Brighton last reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in the 1978-79 season, and they’ll do well to replicate that feat this year.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 2 (King, Keane) Brighton 1 (Carpenter), FA Cup, January 2005

Brighton 2 Tottenham 1, Division 1 (old), April 1983

Tottenham 1 Brighton 1, Division 1 (old), January 1983

STATS…

Brighton’s last win competitive win came in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Against Newcastle United on Sunday, Tottenham’s Harry Kane made as many touches in the box in six minutes against Newcastle (4) than Emmanuel Adebayor managed in 83 minutes.

Roberto Soldado’s last competitive goal came in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Spurs have created 9.2 chances per game in the Premier League this season, down from 11.55 they created per game last season.

ODDS…

Tottenham to win: 1.46

Brighton to win: 8.6

Draw: 4.9

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